NSA vs. PSA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 4, 2025

Here’s a clear look at NSA and PSA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both NSA and PSA are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These entities are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders, often resulting in higher dividend yields.

Symbol	NSA	PSA
Company Name	National Storage Affiliates Trust	Public Storage
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Specialized REITs	Specialized REITs
Market Capitalization	4.44 billion USD	51.00 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 22, 2015	November 18, 1980
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NSA and PSA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

NSA vs. PSA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NSA	PSA
5-Day Price Return	-0.40%	3.72%
13-Week Price Return	-7.45%	-2.49%
26-Week Price Return	-23.40%	-0.42%
52-Week Price Return	-35.62%	-20.11%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.13%	0.63%
Year-to-Date Return	-20.39%	-2.93%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.04M	1.02M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.15M	0.84M
3-Month Volatility	24.06%	21.41%
Beta	1.22	0.99

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NSA

6.63%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 21.01%
Q3: 17.78%
Median: 8.42%
Q1: 6.83%
Min: -1.71%

NSA’s Return on Equity of 6.63% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

PSA

18.93%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 21.01%
Q3: 17.78%
Median: 8.42%
Q1: 6.83%
Min: -1.71%

In the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, PSA’s Return on Equity of 18.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NSA

8.92%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 70.20%
Q3: 38.00%
Median: 23.98%
Q1: 6.53%
Min: -1.41%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

PSA

38.13%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 70.20%
Q3: 38.00%
Median: 23.98%
Q1: 6.53%
Min: -1.41%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NSA

36.61%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 54.03%
Median: 42.12%
Q1: 16.28%
Min: 5.86%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

PSA

46.56%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 54.03%
Median: 42.12%
Q1: 16.28%
Min: 5.86%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NSA	PSA
Return on Equity (TTM)	6.63%	18.93%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.28%	9.09%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.92%	38.13%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	36.61%	46.56%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	73.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NSA

0.47

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.08
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.34
Min: 0.10

NSA’s Current Ratio of 0.47 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

PSA

0.84

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.08
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.34
Min: 0.10

PSA’s Current Ratio of 0.84 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NSA

3.40

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.80
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.16

NSA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.40 is typical for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

PSA

1.11

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.80
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.16

PSA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.11 is typical for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NSA

2.10

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 3.92
Median: 2.94
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.14

NSA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PSA

18.96

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 3.92
Median: 2.94
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.14

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 18.96, PSA demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NSA	PSA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.47	0.84
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.38	0.84
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.40	1.11
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.10	18.96

Growth

Revenue Growth

NSA vs. PSA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NSA vs. PSA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NSA

4.77%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 6.92%
Q3: 5.29%
Median: 4.71%
Q1: 3.25%
Min: 2.16%

NSA’s Dividend Yield of 4.77% is consistent with its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PSA

4.54%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 6.92%
Q3: 5.29%
Median: 4.71%
Q1: 3.25%
Min: 2.16%

PSA’s Dividend Yield of 4.54% is consistent with its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NSA

285.38%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 338.69%
Q3: 202.75%
Median: 125.21%
Q1: 107.89%
Min: 16.73%

NSA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 285.38% is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

PSA

127.11%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 338.69%
Q3: 202.75%
Median: 125.21%
Q1: 107.89%
Min: 16.73%

PSA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 127.11% is within the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NSA	PSA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	4.77%	4.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	285.38%	127.11%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NSA

59.82

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 119.95
Q3: 64.19
Median: 27.78
Q1: 23.88
Min: 5.25

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

PSA

27.98

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 119.95
Q3: 64.19
Median: 27.78
Q1: 23.88
Min: 5.25

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NSA

5.34

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 10.35
Q3: 8.84
Median: 8.28
Q1: 5.39
Min: 1.68

In the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, NSA’s P/S Ratio of 5.34 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

PSA

10.67

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 10.35
Q3: 8.84
Median: 8.28
Q1: 5.39
Min: 1.68

With a P/S Ratio of 10.67, PSA trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Specialized REITs industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NSA

2.44

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 13.73
Q3: 7.48
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.71

NSA’s P/B Ratio of 2.44 is within the conventional range for the Specialized REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PSA

5.49

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 13.73
Q3: 7.48
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.71

PSA’s P/B Ratio of 5.49 is within the conventional range for the Specialized REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

NSA vs. PSA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NSA	PSA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	59.82	27.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.34	10.67
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.44	5.49
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.50	25.80